we're on a learning curve here

L.A. Catholic notes that former L.A. priest and child molester Michael Baker was arrested yesterday at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of Creation Spirituality with a minor.

Tod Tamberg, a spokesman for Mahony, said Thursday that the archbishop did the best he could with information he had at the time. "Baker was a classic example of how deceptive these kinds of people are. He lied to the archbishop about the nature and extent of his problem, he deceived his therapists, and he deceived the young people who trusted him," Tamberg said. "That is the nature of this compulsion. This wasn't known in 1986. We know it now."

Baker had arrived at LAX returning from a vacation in Nepal. And Thailand.

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Poor cardinal. One can only do "the best" one can. And he had to learn on the job . . . how gratifying to see how he's learned from his, er, "mistakes".

Posted by: -
Jan. 20, 2006 5:35 PM ET USA

Cardinal Mahony has spent 20 years cutting his pastors off at the knees, undercutting thier authority, stripping their canon law rights. Oh yes collegiality for him with the Holy Father but treat the pastors like serfs. Here is the question: would you enter into a handshake deal with Cardinal Mahony that involved you putting up $100? You are a fool if you said yes - 44 years a priest and his word is no good. Sad Sad Sad

Posted by: Vincit omnia amor -
Jan. 20, 2006 4:59 PM ET USA

Leo, How sad that your the result of your substituting the Cardinal's name in the above statement rings so true. Really hard to find anything more to say.
Lord, have mercy...
we beg You.

Posted by: -
Jan. 20, 2006 10:08 AM ET USA

MUTATIS MUTANDIS: "Mahoney was a classic example of how deceptive these kinds of people are. He concealed from the faithful the nature and extent of the problem, he deceived his insurers, and he deceived those who trusted him," Leo said. "That is the nature of this compulsion. This wasn't known in 1986. We know it now."

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